Couch



Oct. 3, 1939. J. w. BowERsox 2,175,015

GOUCH Filed March 9, 193s s sheets-sheet 1 m 444, x W

. Oct. 3, 1939.

J. w. BowERsox GOUGH Filed March 9, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 x O y T 9 7 wv #W 5 5 MMD :IMMIHI W3 o 9 |140 M p m cfose y J. w. BowER'sox Oct. 3, 1939.

GOUCH Filed March 9, 1936. 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 In ve/zof ci-.59,1972 Wowezzsox nlllllllllulll Patented Oct. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COUCH Joseph W. Bowersox, Glen Ellyn, Ill., assignor to Superior Felt & Bedding Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application March 9, 1936, Serial No. 67,888

3 Claims. (Cl. 5--44) The present invention relates to improvements assembled, the couch assumes theform and norin couches, and has particular Areference to a mal appearance of a davenport or sofa, the unit new and improved couch having a plurality of I constituting the seat and the unit 2 serving as relatively adjustable units arranged for assembly an upright back. Associated with the units I 5 to constitute a davenport or sofa, and for sepaand 2 is a hidden stationary base frame 3 adapti5 ration to provide twin beds. ed to be supported directly on the floor. The One of the objects of the invention is to pro seat unit I normally overlies and encloses the vide a new and improved couch of the foregoing trame 3, but may be slidably withdrawn to uncharacter in which the two units when assembled cover the latter. The back unit 2 is operatively lf) constitute the seat and back rest of a davenport connected to the frame 3, and adapted to be supl or the like. ported thereby either in a vertical position, or Other objects and advantages reside in the in a horizontal position at substantially the same provision of various novel features of construclevel as the unit I when the latter is removed tion, such as means for guiding the horizontally from the frame. In tilting or swinging the unit l movable unit, means for positioning and sup- 2 into horizontal position over the frame 3, the 15 porting the swinging unit selectively in an uprear of the unit becomes the top. right position or a horizontal position, means In its preferred form, the frame 3 is made of for interlocking the horizontal unit and the metal, and comprises two horizontal cross bars couch frame against independent lifting, and 4 and 5 at the ends resting directly on the floor. means on the horizontal unit for concealing the The front ends of the bars 4 and 5 are bent up- 20 separable character of the units. wardly and rigidly connected by a horizontal, A general object is to provide a twin studio longitudinal elevated front bar 6. Two vertical couch which is simple and inexpensive in constraps or legs I and 8 are secured respectively to struction, easy and convenient to operate, and the rear end portions of the bars 4 and 5, and

attractive in appearance. are connected by a horizontal longitudinal ele- 25 Further objects and advantages will become vated rear bar 9. Connecting the Very ends of apparent as the description proceeds. the bars 6 and 9 are two elevated horizontal cross In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a rails I0 and II which serve as guides for the perspective View of a studio couch embodying the sliding unit I and also as the support for the features of my invention. unit 2. Preferably, the members 4 to III are in 30 Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view the form of angle irons securely bolted or riveted on an enlarged scale of the couch shown in Fig. 1. together. As to l the guiding function of the Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the couch rails III and II, it will be seen upon reference to illustrating the horizontal unit in withdrawn Fig. 8 that these rails are positioned partially position. within recesses formed in the rear legs of the 35 Fig. 4 is an end elevational view similar to unit I'- and overlie the brackets which carryY Fig. 3, but with the swinging unit in horizontal casters 22 as well as the bottom walls of the leg position. recesses. Thus upward movement of the unit Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view I is prevented as it is slid in and out. This guidtaken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3. ing action which prevents upward movement of 40 Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View the unit I during its withdrawal and retraction taken along line 6--6 of Fig. 3. prevents a vertical strain being placed on the lost Fig. 7 is a plan View, partially in section, of motion linkage which connects the unit`I with the construction shown in Fig. 3. the frame 3. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View Rigidly secured to the rear end portions of 45 taken substantially along line 8-3 of Fig. 2. the bars 4 and 5, and projecting laterally there- Referring more particularly to the drawings, from beneath and outwardly beyond the rails I0 the couch, constituting the exemplary embodiand II are two short flat bars or strips I2 and ment of the invention, is of the studio or sofa I3 which constitute lugs resting directly on the bed type, comprising twin upholstered spring oor, and the upper surfaces of which are curved 50 bed units I and 2 which are adapted to be assemor rounded transversely for a purpose hereinbled, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to after described. afford seating facilities, or to be separated, as The seat unit I has a hollow base frame I4 shown in Fig. 4, so as to provide extra sleeping adapted to slide over and receive the couch frame accommodations. When the units I and 2 are 3. A suitable upholstered spring cushion I5 is 55 built on and fully overlies the topl of the frame I4. A depending apron I6 of a suitable material, such as wood, is secured to, and skirts, the front and ends of the frame I4. The apron I6 extends almost to the floor, and obviously fully conceals the frame I4, and also the couch frame 3 when the unit I is in retracted position. Ornamental depending projections I1, simulating legs, are provided at the front and rear corners of the apron I 6. The cusion I5 and the apron I6 may be covered with the same kind of upholster ing material with a decorative bead I8 at the seam. It will be evident that the unit I as constructed appears in every respect as the seat of an ordinary davenport or sofa without end arms, and that the structural features permitting adjustment of the unit for use as a .day bed or studio couch are concealed from casual observation, thereby enhancing the appearance and character of the couch while retaining its full utility for the purpose intended.

'I'he unit frame I4 has rigid depending front and rear legs I9 and 20 which are enclosed by the apron I6, and which have casters 2l and 22 at their lower ends to support the unit I directly on the floor. The front legs I9 are located inwardly from the ends of the frame I4 and in front of the elevated bar 6. The rear legs 20 are located at the very ends of the frame I4, and are adapted to be guided by the rails I9 and II upon rearward movement of the unit I into position over the frame 3. The ends of the lugs I2 and I3 are disposed in the path of the casters 22. When the unit I is in fully retracted position,

'as shown in Fig. 2, the casters 22 will engage the rear descending upper surfaces of the lugs I2 and I3 to prevent unwarranted movement in a forward direction.

Forward movement of the unit I is limited by a releasable lost motion connection with the frame 3. This connection may be of any suitable character, and in the present instance is shown as comprising two long diagonal cross strips 23 and 24 (see Figs. 2 and 7) pivotally connected at 25 midway of their ends. The forward end of the strip 23 is pivotally anchored to a bracket 26 fixed on the inside of the front portion of the apron I6, and the rear end has a pin 21 slidably engaging a longitudinal slot 28 in one end of the bar 6 of the frame 3. The strip 24 at its rear end has a pin 29 removably and pivotally inserted in the other end of the bar 6, and at its front end has a pin 30 slidably engaging in a slot 3l formed in an elongated bracket 32 on the inside of the apron I6.

It will be evident that the strips 23 and .24 will permit movement of the unit l entirely olf the frame 3, and will determine the outermost position as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This position is such that the back unit 2, when swung into the horizontal, will be located immediately alongside the unit I, so that the two units may be used separately or as a double bed. The strips 23 and 24 also serve to guide the unit I in its movement into retracted position or forward position. If it should be desired to move the units I and 2 apart, the pins 21 and 29 need merely be lifted from the bar 6, thereby effecting a complete separation of the unit I from the frame 3.

Secured to the inside of the front portion of the apron I6 immediately outside the legs I9 are two horizontal fingers 33 and 34 which project rearwardly closely over the bar 6 when the unit I is in retracted position. Two additional lingers 35 and 36 are secured to the inside of the apron I6 between the legs I9, and project rearwardly under the bar 6. By reason of the ngers 33 to 36, lifting either the unit I or the frame 3 at the front will result in the lifting of both.

The back unit 2 comprises a rectangular frame 31 having transverse end bars 38 and 39. With the unit 2 in vertical position, the frame 31 is covered at the front above the unit I by an upholstered spring sofa cushion 40, and over the entire rear by an upholstered spring bed cushion 4I. The unit 2 is closed at the ends, and is recessed in its lower front portion, as indicated at 42, to receive and closely intert with the rear portion of the unit I which projects partially beneath the cushion 48.

To provide means for supporting the unit 2 in either position of adjustment, the frame 31 is connected to the frame 3 at each end by two folding pivot links 43 and 44. Referring to Fig. 2, the link 43 is pivotally connected at its upper end by means of a pin 45 to the middle portion of the cross member 39, and at its other end by means of a pin 46 toI the rear end portion of the rail II. Likewise, the link 44 is pivotally connected at opposite ends by means of pins 41 and 48 respectively to the lower end of the member 39 and an intermediate portion of the rail II forwardly of the pin 46. Projecting inwardly from the link 44 at a point adjacent the pin 48 and over the rail II into the path of the rail 43 is a pin cr projection 49.

The link construction at the other end of the couch, i. e., connecting the member 38 and the rail I9, is like that just described, and the corresponding parts thereof are identified by the same reference characters. To obtain greater rigidity, the links 43 may be connected intermediate their ends by a bar 50 extending longitudinally of the couch and thus cooperating with this pair of links to form a swingable supporting frame.

When the unit 2 is in upright position, as` illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the rear ends of the links 44 will cross and rest against the top of the frame member 9. Most of the unit 2 in this position is disposed rearwardly of the member 9, and hence the weight of the unit serves to hold the parts in position of adjustment. When the unit I is withdrawn from the frame 3, the upper portion of the unit 2 may be swung forwardly and downwardly until the links 43 engage the pins 49, as illustrated in Fig. 4. In this position of adjustment, m-ost of the unit 2 is disposed forwardly of the pins 49, and hence the weight of the unit serves to hold the parts in position of adjustment.

It will be evident that movement of the units into position to constitute a davenport or the like as illustrated in Figs. i and 2, or into horizontal position to constitute twin beds, as illustrated in Fig. 4:, may be easily and quickly accomplished. Whe-n the units are assembled, the construction in appearance is typically that of a davenport o1' sofa, and in no way simulates a form easily recognizable as a studio or sofa bed couch.

I claim as my invention:

l. A couch comprising, in combination, a frame having a longitudinal bar at the front, a horizontal bed unit having front and rear legs adapted for engagement with the floor and having a skirt extending substantially to the oor at the ends and front to enclose said legs and to dene an opening in the rear for reception. of said frame, said unit being movable selectively into withdrawn position off of said frame or into retracted position over said frame, and a plurality of feet projecting from the ends of said frame into the path of the rear legs and adapted to coact therewith to hold said unit in retracted position.

2. In a couch comprising a base frame and a horizontal bed unit having an opening in the rear thereof for reception of said frame and legs adapted for slidable engagement with the floor to permit movement of the unit selectively into Withdrawn position off of said frame or into retracted position over the frame, the combination of feet projecting from said frame along the iioor surface in the paths of said bed-unit legs and adapted to coact therewith to hold said unit in retracted position.

3. A couch comprising, in combination, a frame having cross rails at the ends and a longitudinal bar at the fron-t, a horizontal bed unit having front and rear legs adapted for engagement with the floor and having a skirt extending substantially to the floor at the ends and front to enclose said legs and to define an opening in the rear for the reception of said frame, said unit being movable selectively into withdrawn position off of said frame or into retracted position over said frame, means including said rails positioned to coact with the rear legs for guiding said unit in its withdrawal and retraction movement to limit vertical movement of said unit, and a plurality of sets of fingers mounted on the front section of said skirt and adapted to project rearwardly therefrom into position respectively above and below said bar when said unit is in retracted position, whereby to assure that lifting movement imparted to the bed unit will be transmitted to the frame and vice versa.

JOSEPH W. BOWERSOX. 

